Winged bondage

Freedom flies away

On autumn wings—

Beyond the horizon,

Far away to the south . . .

The mountain range

Weighs heavily on my eyes.

The snowy cloud

Glides downward like a smoke screen . . .

I do not fear the cold loneliness.

I do not envy the infinity

Of the bird’s flight.

Even the bird is not free—

The flock is its bondage.

GUEORGUI KONSTANTINOV, Bulgaria 1943

 

Translated by Lujdmila Kolechkova – Stanley Barkan